Stephen Colbert, known for his passion for J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, is collaborating with his son on writing a movie based on “The Lord of the Rings.” Warner Bros. revealed on Wednesday that Colbert, along with series veteran Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee, will be working on the script for “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past.” The involvement of Colbert was disclosed by producer Peter Jackson in a social media video introducing a “very special partner” for the film.
Colbert shared that he had hesitated for a few years before reaching out to Jackson, but eventually, they started collaborating with Boyens to develop the story. The idea for the film originated from a conversation Colbert had with his son a few years back, where they brainstormed a potential framing device for the movie. The storyline will revolve around a new adventure involving Sam, Merry, and Pippin, set 14 years after Frodo’s passing.
The upcoming movie, “Shadow of the Past,” is part of a long line of adaptations of “The Lord of the Rings,” including the well-known trilogy by Jackson. Following his initial films, Jackson went on to create a trilogy of prequels based on Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and was involved in producing the anime “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” in 2024.
Another project in the works is Andy Serkis’ “The Hunt for Gollum,” also produced by Jackson, set to hit theaters next year. Additionally, the Amazon Prime prequel series, “The Rings of Power,” which is unrelated to Jackson’s adaptations, garnered attention for being one of the most expensive shows ever created during its first season release in 2022. The series received positive reviews, with filming for the third season reportedly completed, but no confirmed release date yet.
In the realm of video games, while there have been several well-received adaptations, such as 2003’s “The Return of the King” and the “Middle-Earth” series in the 2010s, the 2023 release of “The Lord of the Rings: Gollum” was heavily criticized as one of the worst video games of all time. On the other hand, the 2025 game “Tales of the Shire,” developed by Wētā Workshop, received mixed reviews.
There are rumors circulating about a new “Lord of the Rings” game in development, speculated to rival “Hogwarts Legacy,” as reported by Insider Gaming. Colbert, a dedicated fan of the franchise, has showcased his extensive knowledge of “The Lord of the Rings” on numerous occasions, often inviting cast and crew members from the films on his show. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of “The Fellowship of the Ring” in 2021, Colbert brought together much of the cast for a rap tribute to the franchise on “The Late Show.”
Colbert expressed his admiration for “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy as the greatest in movie history. “The Late Show” on CBS is set to conclude with its final episode airing on May 21 following the network’s decision to cancel the series in July.
